Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.

The Amherst Police Department is joining more than 250 law enforcement agencies across the state in the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Highway Safety Division (EOPSS-HSD) statewide “Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.” campaign from December 16, 2010, through January 2, 2011.

This mobilization, coordinated and funded by the Governor’s Highway Safety Bureau, a division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, combines extra state and local traffic enforcement with public information and community education to reduce impaired driving and other traffic offenses.

The Amherst Police Department recommends that if you host a party over the holiday season where alcohol will be served, offer non-alcoholic beverages and food to prevent drinking from becoming the focus of your gathering. If you are heading out to an event and plan to consume alcohol, be sure to designate a sober driver or plan to utilize a taxi or mass transit.

Impaired driving is a serious crime that could cost you your freedom, job, vehicle, license, and result in death or injury to yourself or other innocent people. There were 347 motor vehicle-related fatalities in Massachusetts in 2009. Thirty-nine percent of these deaths involved the use of alcohol or other drugs - just above the national rate of 38%. The Amherst Police Department is committed to this enforcement effort and has criminally charged 106 persons with Driving Under the Influence (DUI) this year alone.

Questions regarding this informational and enforcement initiative can be forwarded to Sergeant Gabriel Ting or Patrolman Todd Lang. For additional information concerning the Highway Safety Division of the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, go to the Highway Safety Division website.

Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud: A Community Event for Seniors

The Amherst Police Department will be holding a community event designed to educate our seniors on Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud.
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Identity Theft is a crime in which someone obtains the personal or financial information of another person for the purpose of assuming that person’s name or identity in order to make fraudulent transactions or purchases.

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Credit Card Fraud is theft or fraud committed using a credit card, or any similar payment mechanism, as a fraudulent source of funds in a transaction with the sole purpose to obtain goods without paying. It is also obtaining unauthorized funds from an account.
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On Monday, December 13, 2010, the Amherst S.A.L.T. Council (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) in partnership with the Amherst Senior Center and the Amherst Police Department will be hosting an event to educate seniors on how to prevent and combat identity theft and credit card fraud. The Amherst Police Department hopes that through education and information, we can deter these crimes from happening. This event will be held at the Amherst Senior Center from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. This event is free and pre-registration is not required.

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If you need additional information please contact Officer Jamie Reardon at 413-259-3000 or via email.

Child Passenger Car Seat Installations

The Amherst Police Department is committed to the safety of our children. Motor vehicle crashes pose a tremendous risk for children. When properly installed, child safety seats reduce the risk of death in a motor vehicle crash by 71% for infants and by 54% for toddlers. Safety belts reduce the risk of death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash by up to 50%. This is where the Amherst Police Department can help.
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The Amherst Police Department conducts child passenger car seat inspections on the 3rd Saturday of each month. The next scheduled inspection day is Saturday, December 18, 2010, by appointment only. Open to Amherst residents only, our certified technicians will thoroughly inspect child passenger car seats for wear and effectiveness and install them properly to assure the safest ride for our children.
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To schedule a 30-minute appointment either e-mail the Amherst Police Department or call 413-259-3355. This program is open to Amherst residents only.
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The Amherst Police Department has received funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security Highway Safety Division for the equipment necessary to complete the inspections and installations. Questions regarding this program can be forwarded to Officer Felipe Feliciano at (413) 259-3000.